How has ASDA helped you build your leadership skills?
ASDA has pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way possible. I came into dental school with solid leadership experience, and ASDA has helped me elevate those strengths. I now manage teams with more structure, communicate more effectively, and maintain calm, clear decision-making even in fast-paced or stressful moments. ASDA transformed me from a student who cared about leadership into someone who actively practices it every day. It has taught me how to listen, how to solve problems quickly, and how to bring people together even when everyone has different needs or priorities.

What do you think is the most vital quality in a leader?
The most vital quality is empathy. Technical skills matter, but being able to understand your peers, recognize their struggles, and make them feel seen creates real trust. When people feel supported, they’re more willing to collaborate, grow, and show up. Leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about creating an environment where others feel empowered.

Why should members get involved with ASDA leadership positions?
Getting involved in ASDA leadership opens doors that dental school alone can’t. You gain a community that advocates for you, countless opportunities for professional development, and a platform to make real changes that impact your classmates and the future of dentistry. It also helps you develop skills—communication, advocacy, organization, resilience—that you will use for the rest of your career. ASDA truly lets you shape your experience instead of just going through dental school passively.

What future leadership roles in organized dentistry interest you and why?
I’m interested in continuing my involvement with advocacy-focused roles such as state-level legislative committees, ADA Councils, and eventually leadership positions within national dentistry organizations. As a first-generation student, representation matters deeply to me, and I want to help ensure that voices like mine are part of national conversations about access to care, licensure reform, and student debt. Organized dentistry has the power to shape policy and I want to be part of the group that moves our profession forward.